Preservationists Perched To Buy SS UNITED STATES

In astonishingly good news for ship preservationists today, the S.S. United States Conservancy, a group dedicated to saving the laid up liner SS UNITED STATES from scrap, have managed to get a deal in place to buy the historic liner from the NCL Group for US$3 million.

July 1st, is a big day in the life of a ship laid up since 1969. The Philadelphia berthed UNITED STATES will be given a grand celebration in honor of the 58th anniversary of her record-breaking maiden voyage. A feature of the special program will include a recreation of artist Robert Wogan’s lighting of the ship’s funnels, bridge, and radar mast along with an outdoor screening of the documentary “SS United States: Lady in Waiting”.

Despite an offer from scrap dealers for the ship at US$5.9 million, NCL reportedly stated, “We are pleased with the current arrangement with the conservancy.”

The proposed sale still must overcome some hurdles, primarily to satisfy Environmental Protection Agency concerns related to toxic PCBs aboard the nearly 60-year-old ship. Also, the preservationists will be responsible for the US $60,000 per month docking fees in Philadelphia. The funding has been provided by Gerry Lenfest, a Philadelphia philanthropist. The S.S. United States Conservancy’s agreement with NCL to buy the ship expires in February 2011, and if the sale is completed, according to the the agreement with Mr. Lenfest, the group has 20 months of financial support to develop a long-term plan that would make the ship financially self-supporting.

54 Responses to Preservationists Perched To Buy SS UNITED STATES

When I was teaching, special ed, teen agers, the computer was in its infancy as teaching aide, The above site was golden, not only for me, but for my very wonderful students, as they could actually see what the canal was and IS, and they unknowingly shared my passion for ships.

The site has morfed over the last 15 years from its inception and has become more sophisticated.

After entering the site, down to the right hand side, go to web cams, that will give you free, non-ending 24/7 live transmits from the Gatun and Miraflores locks, and the Centennial. Bridge., as well as the new big dig, the expansion.

I hope you enjoy this site.

This morning I viewed the entire transit of the Crystal Serenity, as she transited, heading for the Caribbean.

Here goes, yet another story of the never ending saga of the SS UNITED STATES.

Again, this morning, our lovely local, Daily Press, published another article of the SS UNITED STATES, with a hopeful outline of costs, and uses for this venerable ship. A vintage photo accompanies the article, taken by Chris Gardner, Associated Press, circa 1998, and one can visit the Daily Press, however, it will cost 99 cents to view the article on line. HOWEVER, one can visit the site, click on Newport News, see the photo and know the article is genuine without paying for the whole story.

Heres the run down:

Article written by Shannon Humphrey Mare,
talks of the past and near demise of the ship,
future plans, exciting, not too new here, except for reno costs betwen $200 – $300 US million. a 20,000 sq foot on board museum, rebuilding and refitting the iconic publi spaces – no word on the ships new home, however.

We all get the idea – I just hope its not all too good to be true.

Anyone interested in joing the SS UNITED STATES conservancy, its cheap at $50.00, can visit http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org wherebyone may also buy one of several pins, with proceeds going to the ships fund.